Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection which is usually spread through partaking in unprotected sex, including oral, anal and vaginal, as well as from the sharing of sex toys with an infected person. It is the most commonly diagnosed STD in the UK, especially amongst sexually active teens and young adults, though, due to it being often symptomless people tend not to get checked as much as necessary.  It is highly recommended, therefore, that anyone who falls into these categories gets screened every year or when changing sexual partners.

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called chlamydia trachomatis which is passed on from person to person via infected fluids, including semen or vaginal fluid. Once passed on, it lives within the vagina, penis and/or rectum and as such, it can be easily shared through unprotected sex without a condom or through the sharing of sex toys with a person carrying the infection. In some cases, it can be spread by the genitals simply coming into contact with an infected partner’s genitals, without penetration or ejaculation being necessary, or infected fluid getting into the eye.

More than half of women with chlamydia will experience no symptoms making it even more crucial to get regular testing if you have different partners or unprotected sex. If symptoms occur, they will often begin within a 21 day window of contact with the infected person and can include:

• milky or yellow vaginal discharge

• pain during urination

• discomfort in the stomach and/or pelvic area

• pain and/or bleeding during or after sex

• nausea

• fever

• spotting between periods

Nearly 50% of men carrying it will not experience symptoms either, but if they do they will usually show anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks from the initial infection. They can include:

• discharge from the penis

• burning during urination

• pain within or around the testicles

• a throat infection

• conjunctivitis

• pain, discharge or bleeding of the rectum

Symptoms can disappear on their own but this does not mean the infection has gone. So if you experience any unusual changes after having unprotected sex, it is vital you get tested.